Sometimes we look upon the world around us and wonder how God could allow it all to continue. The evil that seems to thrive, while the light around us seems to grow dim. We hear the news, standing in indignation over the events of the day, all the while the Lord extends His hand of mercy toward a world that is destroying itself from within. As we look upon the sin of our day we need to be reminded, that God is merciful and longsuffering providing opportunity for men to come to repentance. He is in control of the swinging of the pendulum of time and time is continuing in His longsuffering.

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9

Today, God looks across the world that He created, extending His mercy just as He did in the days of Noah. “Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.” 1 Peter 3:20

When we become frustrated with all that is going on, we need only look around with the understanding that each person is a living soul that will spend eternity somewhere. Each soul is one for which Jesus Christ died. We need to lose sight of “me” and what might happen to make “me” uncomfortable, becoming concerned with “others” and the eternity they face unless they come to repentance.

“Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” Romans 2:4

It was the goodness and longsuffering of God in our lives that brought us to a saving knowledge of Him. Why would we want less for anyone else? “But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.” Psalm 86:15

As we continue to live in His longsuffering, let’s spend our time looking upon the souls of those around us knowing that time is running out. Instead of righteous indignation, we need to be filled with compassion. We need to look beyond the hate and see a soul that is dying without hope.

“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;” Colossians 3:12